A lifetime of service, a legacy of hope

SPRING 2026

For Billye, giving is not about recognition or large sums of money. It’s about values, dignity, and making sure that no one in her community has to experience hunger alone. A lifelong Westchester resident and social worker, Billye has spent her career supporting individuals and families facing trauma, poverty, and instability. Long before she became a donor, she volunteered in local meal programs and food pantries, witnessing firsthand how access to food can restore dignity and stability. That early experience stayed with her and became even more urgent during the COVID-19 pandemic. “When schools closed, and people suddenly lost jobs, there was so much uncertainty,” Billye recalls. “I kept thinking about children who depended on school meals and families who were already struggling.” During that time, she began donating regularly to Feeding Westchester, drawn by its countywide reach and ability to respond quickly to growing need, but Billye wanted to do more. As someone who openly talks about planning for the future, she decided to include Feeding Westchester as a beneficiary in her will, ensuring her support would extend beyond her lifetime. Billye says, “I think it’s important to leave things better than you found them...and it matters to me that the people I love know what I cared about. This is a way of reinforcing my values.”

Her decision is deeply informed by her professional experience. As a social worker, she has seen how food insecurity leaves lasting scars, especially on children. She recalls working with a young Westchester boy whose story still sticks with her 20 years later. Despite later having access to food, he lived with constant fear from childhood that it would run out. He shared with Billye that he’d still stock up on ketchup and sugar packets whenever he came across them, just in case. “Children who grow up hungry never forget it,” she explains. “It shapes how they think, how they learn, and how they experience the world.” That understanding fuels her belief in Feeding Westchester’s mission. What stands out most to her is the organization’s commitment to accessibility. “There are no barriers, no IDs, no hoops to jump through,”

Billye says. “People can just show up and have their needs met. That matters.”

In addition to her legacy gift, Billye recently became a monthly donor. With rising food costs, changes to SNAP benefits, and increasing demand, she felt consistent support was more important than ever. “It doesn’t have to be a lot,” she says. “I canceled an unused subscription and redirected that money. Every bit helps.” Billye hopes her story encourages others to consider giving, especially those who don’t see themselves as traditional philanthropists. “You don’t need millions to make an impact,” she says. “If my story helps someone realize they can do something too, then it’s worth sharing.”

For Billye, supporting Feeding Westchester is about trust, compassion, and long-term impact. It is about making sure the organization can continue to adapt with flexible funds, respond, and serve the Westchester community today and for generations to come. Together, we can envision a Westchester where no neighbor fears hunger, turning this shared dream into a powerful movement for change and resilience in our community.